Things You Should Know About Motorcycle Accidents

As gas prices are continuing to soar up, many people now prefer motorcycles as their mode of transportation. One of the reasons is that these two-wheeled motor vehicles are among the cheapest and most widespread forms of motorized transport.

But, as the sales of motorcycles increase, the number of motorcycle accidents also escalates.

It is recorded that the rate of motorcycle accidents are higher than automobile accidents. According to the data last 2005 of the United States Department of Transportation from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, there are 75.19 fatal crashes per 100,000 registered vehicles for motorcycles. This is four times higher than passenger cars at 18.62 per 100,000 registered vehicles.

Last 2006 there were 4,810 recorded motorcycle deaths in the United States.

Findings related to the cause and characteristics of motorcycle accidents:

•    Over 80% of fatalities occur off roadway

•    About one-third of motorcycle riders that are fatally injured did not have a proper license

•    Around 60% of motorcycle fatalities happened at night

•    In 2% of the accidents, the cause was roadway defects, such as potholes, pavement ridges, etc.

•    1% of these accidents were caused by animal involvement

•    Less than 3% are accounted because of vehicle failure

•    Approximately, three-fourths of the crashes involved another vehicle

•    More or less, one-fourth of the accidents were single vehicle accidents where the motorcycle collides with the roadway or some fixed object

•    Two-thirds in single vehicle accidents, motorcycle rider error was present as a factor of the accident

•    Weather is a factor in just 2% of motorcycle accidents

•    The most likely place for these kinds of accidents are intersections

•    One of the major cause of motorcycle accidents is the failure of other motorists to recognize motorcycles in traffic

•    Two-thirds of multiple vehicle accidents was caused by the driver of the other vehicle because of violating the right-of-way of the motorcycle

•    Accidents are likely to happen in a short span of time, close to the trip origin

•    96% of the accident-involved motorcycle riders are males

•    The age of most riders who are involved in these accidents are ranging between 16 and 24

•    92% of accident-involved motorcyclist were without formal training

•    Alcohol involvement is shown in almost half of the fatal accidents

•    In motorcycle accidents, the possibility of injury is extremely high with 98% in multiple vehicle collisions and 96% in single vehicle accidents

•    The severity of the injury increases with alcohol involvement, speed, and motorcycle size

•    73% of the riders involved in these accidents used no eye protection

•    The most deadly injuries to the victims were injuries to the head and chest

•    60% of motorcycle riders were not wearing helmets during the accident

•    Only less than 10% of riders involved in these accidents have insurance

•    Involvement in motorcycle accidents are reduced by using motorcycle headlamps and wearing high visibility orange, bright red, or yellow jackets

•    Training in motorcycle riding also reduces accident involvement

There are many factors to consider in determining the cause of motorcycle accidents, but in most cases, it is not the fault of the rider.

These accidents result in grave injuries, even the loss of one's life. In these situations, one should seek the assistance of Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers in order to recover costs for damages such as injury, loss of wages, distress, medical expenses, and the like that resulted from motorcycle accidents.


Our Los Angeles law firm has a team of highly competent motorcycle accident lawyers. For free evaluation of your case, just log on to our website.